BEING AMERICAN IN FRANCE | Real Talk with an American living in Paris

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So what DO French people think of Americans? What does it feel like to be an American living in Paris? Let's chat with Veronica, an American expat in Paris who was brave enough to move to France 3 years ago!
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In today's video we discuss the differences between USA and France when it comes to culture, outlook and attitudes as how that translates as an American living in France. Three years ago, Veronica decided that moving to Paris as an American seemed like a great idea! But it also came with a particular expat status that makes expat life in France even more interesting.
I get a lot of questions about being an American expat in France, what do French people think of Americans, cultural differences France vs. USA and what it feels like to study abroad as an American in France. Unfortunately, not being American myself, I can't answer these questions directly, but I know people that can :)
If you have any other questions about French people, cultural differences, expat life in Paris or anything else, please let me know down below!
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Опубликовано:

16 июл 2018

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Комментарии : 317

@sarahayer8929 6 лет назад

As an American who studied abroad, I really agree with Veronica! I found that the French were disconcerted when I smiled on the metro or gave them hugs. By the time I finished my stint in France, I found that on the whole I smiled less in public, talked way quieter, and had a new found love of French food. When I came back to the US, I actually experienced culture shock! I realized that while I’ll always be American, I had picked up French characteristics.

@johnb300m 4 года назад

I had this same culture shock as a midwesterner in new england, actually. East coast Americans have a very similar demeanor to the French an UK people.

@thedavidguy01 6 лет назад

I'm an American who has visited France 3 times, most recently for 3 weeks in April, 2018. Even though they don't smile a lot and don't strike up conversations spontaneously, I have found French people to be friendly and helpful, especially outside of Paris. I do speak French so that may make a difference. Since I'm an introvert who doesn't smile at strangers and never starts a conversation, I actually prefer that aspect of French culture. I guess I'm not a typical American. I also greatly prefer the French food and portion sizes.

@anne-mariev.3295 6 лет назад

David Guy I think you’re making a very important point here - you made the effort of trying to speak French and this makes a huge difference. We are proud of our language and culture (and have probably not recovered from the fact that these are not the most prominent in the world anymore, I guess), so we may tend to find it rude when American tourists just come and blurt out a question to our faces in English, assuming the whole world speaks this language.

@darenblythe5169 3 года назад

"Since I'm an introvert who doesn't smile at strangers and never starts a conversation, I actually prefer that aspect of French culture. I guess I'm not a typical American." Amen, brother. If my French were a little better (I'm working on it) I think I'd fit in pretty well there. Also, my (albeit limited) experiences with French folks--even in Paris--have been 100% positive. Vive la France!

@thedavidguy01 3 года назад

@@darenblythe5169 Since making that comment I made an effort to start conversations whenever possible during a trip to France in 2019. It was very hard for me, but I forced myself in order to get as much practice as possible speaking French. I found that many French people were happy to chat even in Paris. Of course, I didn't bother people who were busy. In one example, our train was stuck for 2 hours and I ended up talking with the people sitting across from me for almost the entire 2 hours. They were very friendly, and it was a very enjoyable conversation.

@jennavanburen9473 6 лет назад

My top things I miss about the U.S. : optimism, friendliness, customer service, and ice cubes.

@stephen10. 6 лет назад

Bring these good feeling with you and teach them to the french poeple !

@eleonoreriha563 6 лет назад

But I know a lot of French people who are already this way !! We're not all cold, arrogant and pessimistic Parisians (and not all the Parisians are this way, though) !

@mega77 5 лет назад

AC units AC units everywhere. (Frenchman who spent a year in NYC)

@warzy01 5 лет назад

What about loud fake people? There is good and bad in each if you ask me...

@LaLeeRu 5 лет назад

Ha ha ha! Yes, ice cubes! I concur!

@thepurplepalace85 6 лет назад

Oh no Veronica babe don’t tone yourself down! Stay gold girl 🦋

@gardenofpeonies 6 лет назад

I agree, she should be herself !

@caciliawhy5195 5 лет назад

Living in Europe, Germany or France you tend to come down to their level just to survive in society.

@camembertdalembert6323 6 лет назад

as a french not living in Paris, I'm always shocked when I go to Paris.

@frau4bzna 5 лет назад

How so? Please explain...

@jldaniel.lefranc 5 лет назад

moi j'ai compris, mais on ne peut pas en parler . dire simplement ce qu'on a devant les yeux, dire le réel, est politiquement incorrect en France.

@camembertdalembert6323 5 лет назад

frau4bzna Drivers, motorcycles, scooters are agressive, courtesy is not a thing for them. I see also a lot more insecurity. And I dont speak about pollution...

@jldaniel.lefranc 5 лет назад

I'm not in Paris but in Lyon, but it's the same, there's more and more incivilities, it's becoming unbearable. insecurity has become omnipresent, but the French of origins find it beautiful. and for them, nothing to do with extra-European immigration, of course. there would be 1000 other things to say. people are going crazy in France. as the young woman points out: Paris is specific. people are the most blind in France. when tourists criticize such and such a thing in France, in reality they describe the basic Parisian. the French of province is very different.

@pinky6390 5 лет назад

Are you saying Lyon almost is just as bas as Paris? Just curious.

@christopheccy5705 6 лет назад

I'm sad to hear that Veronica has to be less friendly and has to not smile to everyone :( I agree that in France, especially in Paris, people look less friendly and don't (never ? :D ) smile much, and that's really sad. Your day is much more better when you see people smiling at you, being friendly, and that should happen more in Paris, and in France in general too. That's what i loved about my trips in the US. Most americans are very friendly with foreigners, and it's so rewarding to meet and talk about culture or anything elese with friendly people you don't even know. France and french people have a lot of work to do on this side !

@christopheccy5705 6 лет назад

That's true Rosie. But when i see how french people welcome, speak to or talk about foreigners, i'm feeling a little bit shame. Every trip i did (USA, Canada, Austria, Russia, etc...), i always met welcoming people with tourists/foreigners , and i don't feel the same about France (i also traveled my own country). Of course i know there's bad people (even "ass....") with tourists/foreigners in every country, but i think there are more in France :p

@eleonoreriha563 6 лет назад

Hrm, actually it really depends where you live in France when it comes to friendliness and open-mindness. I've personnally not really often had to complain when it comes to custom service in restaurants in France. Of course, sometimes I had to deal with unpleasant waiters, but I guess you can meet that kind of situation everywhere in the world. Then, keep in mind "self flogging" is one of our favourite sport : thinking we "suck so much" at this, or at that, or that The English, The Germans, The Americans or whatever are so much better than us to this, or to that... We always see the grass greener at our neighbours'.

@eleonoreriha563 6 лет назад

And for French people being cultivated, unfortunately, it's not the case for most of the people in France. A lot of them stupidly follow what they see on TV and don't seek to think deeper. Lots of people here only care about their Iphone, their snapchat, their Instagram, their little life and are not curious about anything. They just live in their little bubble.

@edamix3184 5 лет назад

French people aren't that cultivated. If they really were, we would't have Emmanuel Macron for President... Even less multi-lingual (very few are able to speak at least English).

@warzy01 5 лет назад

Being overly friendly and welcoming just seem fake not saying its wrong.It really just a cultural difference really, we love warm people but for that we have to know each other first if not thing have to stay polite and distant...

@mikenzieteela2508 5 лет назад

I'm American and I married my French husband last August. All of your videos are SO relatable, I love them!

@omgitsjennxox 6 лет назад

I'm American and I don't think I'd ever do well living in France. Hahaha. I'm such a smiley, bubbly, talkative person...I don't think I could turn that part of myself off. Lol.

@Nubianette 5 лет назад

I don’t think it’s a problem. Sincerity is appreciated everywhere. That’s what my French friends have said. But, most of them are from the southern parts of France.

@kmichalene 5 лет назад

Jenn Wray I’ve lived here for 8 years and it’s still an adjustment to not be overtly friendly. That being said, you just need to know that you’re not going to necessarily get it back from the locals around you.

@danderesw 4 года назад

I totally agree. For me it was a definite dealbreaker. My wife and I gave it a go for 3 months in France and I was not expecting the average person to be so closed off. There are so many barriers to human connection it can get really frustrating after a while. I realized it was just way too depressing when people look at you weird when you’re just being friendly and trying to genuinely connect with people just for fun and out of genuine interest. What’s wrong with that? It’s sad that there is such fear of connecting with strangers in public. I speak fluent French so the language was never an issue. It was also never a problem for me in North America with meeting people. I feel like it’s just being a decent human being when you try and connect with others and just socialize with whoever. What’s wrong with talking with people in the check-out line? What’s wrong with being optimistic and looking for the good in situations? I don’t agree with people when they talk about being “fake”. That’s a really poor excuse IMO. What if you genuinely cared about the wellbeing of all people because we all want to be happy, peaceful, safe, and live with ease? It’s called being compassionate and being vulnerable and even showing kindness and appreciation towards fellow human beings. We are having a shared experience and labeling someone as “other” or having a fear of talking to strangers can really contribute to feelings of isolation which I don’t think is healthy. There are so many opportunities for connection and there is so much shared humanity in our daily experiences that I find it sad that some people have built up barriers to social connection and even love. It seems to be the norm in France, more so than any other country I have ever visited.

@DrRidaz 4 года назад

Agreeing with Ghozlane here, you'd fit well in the south-east were people live by the mediteranean culture and human interactions are much more easier than in a city like Paris were people tend to be cold.

@norbertfontaine8524 4 года назад

@@danderesw "What’s wrong with talking with people in the check-out line? " Maybe people are not there to keep you company

@knucklehoagies 5 лет назад

It's interesting hearing the differences between American and French culture. It really depends though where in the US you are talking about. I live in California where that smiley friendly american stereotype exists but I grew up on the east coast closer to New York and Philadelphia where strangers are pretty indifferent with one another. I think my personality already fits in better with French culture since honestly if I'm out in public minding my own business, I get kind of annoyed if a total stranger tries to strike up a conversation with me. Doesn't mean I'm unfriendly or mean. I just think there's a time and a place for things.

@NonStopParis 6 лет назад

Your hair looks amazing!! & congrats on 40k subs!! 🎉🎉🎉

@NonStopParis 6 лет назад

Not Even French 👏🏼👏🏼☀️

@apollineportable5909 6 лет назад

Very good video, stay as you are 😉 i am french (but i don't live in paris) and i love meeting people wich are smilling and friendly, it makes our days happier! Keep smiling, it is a great thing! 😘

@Frahamen 6 лет назад

Are you sisters? You look incredibly alike.

@L.Spencer 6 лет назад

Doppelganger!!

@cottoncatt1186 6 лет назад

I had exactly the same thoughts :)

@samaramolix-marshall4452 5 лет назад

I was thinking the same thing!

@AkemiMUA 5 лет назад

Twins af

@marianasanchez5887 5 лет назад

I was looking for this comment, I thought the same!!

@camillevivier8845 6 лет назад

As a French person who lived in the US for a year, I have to say, I relate to this 100% ;)

@bhk110 4 года назад

So nice to see 2 down to earth girls from different countries getting on so well. Love the entire concept of this channel!

@GalaSalv 4 года назад

Me too! And trying to do the same... but with a teenager perspective!

@lizziea.6845 6 лет назад

I like your video content but wish you would add filming in and around Paris to illustrate what you are talking about and just highlight Paris scenes.

@swedishnoodles 6 лет назад

This is an amazing channel, great job and congrats on 40k subscribers :)

@Skaabmytho 6 лет назад

Wow ! Is it your American hidden sister ? The ressemblance is striking ! (Great video btw !)

@Vince_vanca 6 лет назад

but...which one is the evil twin sister.....? that's the question :D

@nkwari 5 лет назад

That was a great interview. Your videos are really good quality.

@sherridecembrini7949 4 года назад

Thank you for all your good advice. I just got pack from Paris and it was invaluable. Lovely people, wonderful food ...although my French skills were sorely lacking I tried my best, and was always rewarded with beautiful smiles, and kind correction...I loved the people so very much. So glad i spent many afternoons watching your videos.

@cendrieeR 5 лет назад

Another interesting video, thanks for sharing!

@KimberlyBowmanProductions 6 лет назад

As an American I totally loved this video! Thank you! I can definitely attest to beginning to see the differences between cultures as an American learning more about France. I think most Americans could do well to perhaps be a bit more open-minded to the way other cultures work. In my opinion Americans are bit vain in this aspect to think other cultures are weird but the US is perfect somehow. Rather it's enlightening to try seeing yourself from another country's perspective. It's humbling. Embracing other cultures helps you grow as a person. Thanks again for a great outlook in this video! :)

@anne-mariev.3295 6 лет назад

Kimberly Bowman when travelling in the US I realised this lack of open-mindedness might be due to 2 main things: 1. A lack of information about what’s going on abroad e.g. TV news mainly focusing on local topics 2. A lack of paid holidays which prevents Americans from seeing the world while they’re young - I met a lot of American retirees while travelling, and it looked like it was too late in their lives to tamper their Americanness.

@KimberlyBowmanProductions 6 лет назад

I agree! It's sad really because most kids here are growing up not really attentive to what's actually going on in their own country. In the age of technology I wish more kids would harness it to learn more about the world around them instead of trying to get the perfect selfie LOL And yes the news has a way of deceiving the public sometimes. And paid holidays...This is definitely a concept I have discovered learning more about other countries. They really enjoy them haha. But it does foster a sense of purpose and action to learn more about the world around you.

@squelette582 6 лет назад

C'est fou comme vous vous ressemblez toutes les deux. Je trouve dommage de dire à quelqu'un qu'il sourit trop souvent. Ça dépend peut être du boulot mais moi je souris pratiquement tout le temps et j'ai l'impression que ça met plus de bonne humeur les gens autour de moi que ça soit mes chefs, les clients et surtout mon équipe. En tout cas, encore une vidéo super intéressante. Merci Rosie

@stephen10. 6 лет назад

they are sisters ?

@squelette582 6 лет назад

I do not think so but they have some traits in common : the nose, the eyes, the shape of the mouth and the pomettes. (sorry for my poor english)

@lornaoconnell5264 6 лет назад

That's the nice thing about travelling in America - friendly people reach out to you and want to make you feel good. And you do! :)

@susanmathis1682 6 лет назад

This was very interesting. I hope you bring this friend back on your channel

@aquariuspower7138 6 лет назад

Maybe because we consider that you should smile only if you really feel like it. I often feel enthusiastic and happy but I don't necessarily feel the need to express it to everyone. French are simply more introverted, doesn't mean they are depressed or cold.

@5050TM 4 года назад

As an American, sometimes we feel to genuinely smile at strangers. For us, it gives a nice feeling throughout the day.

@schrobro8964 6 лет назад

Wow France sounds like my kind of place, always got from Americans “ you don’t smile enough” or “your to quiet”. Can’t wait to live there.

@lun-uhatic195 6 лет назад

well don't be that excited, I'm too calm too and I never smile due to my crooked teeth but French people usually take me for a snob or unpleasant because of how calm and serious at times I am.

@oliviat2526 5 лет назад

yay NYC! I’ve swiped my subway card for strangers many, many times :)

@liloruf2838 4 года назад

Oh wow, that actually is a thing? Germans could learn from that too.

@TheFrandall 4 года назад

I feel a healing response to this video. I was a little white American girl thrust into a French school 55 yrs ago. I lived in Madagascar and my parents wanted my sisters and me to learn French and live at home in the capitol city rather than go to an English speaking boarding school far away. Most of the children at school were Malagasy and were bilingual in French and Malagash and were kind to me. The French children were reserved and not helpful to me, some to the point of being brutal, I thought. Now I understand. I was always encouraged to be friendly and helpful and to reach out to others in kindness. So I perceived the French as mean which I see now as a cultural difference! I have carried the scars of that misconception for all this time and now can let them go! Thank you for sharing this thoughtful information!

@isabelab6851 6 лет назад

I have not spent that much time in Paris so much of my experience is from being in small towns. I always found every one willing to help and friendly. My first language is Spanish because I am from Puerto Rico. I somehow do not look American or sound American and that seems to change some of the dynamic of the interactions....I think that my personality and demeanor is very suited to the culture there. I tend to gravitate to the French ways...so much so that my best friend is French.

@brucemarsico6 4 года назад

Interesting...…Just what does an American look like?Just how does an American sound like?So, if I'm Italian looking and you and I passon the street in San Juan, can you immediatelyassume that I'm from the USA?Can I assume, then, that you're from Puerto Rico?I was in San Juan last summer and a man and I struck upa conversation on Condado Beach. He was quite light skinnedas compared to my darker complexion. He was Puerto Rican.I am of Italian descent. Who knew?????????

@hannahsomes389 6 лет назад

As an American who's been living in France this resonated with me. It is important to be your friendly self at the end of the day!

@spikespiegelfanclub 5 лет назад

when i was 15 (in 2011) i went to paris on a school sponsored trip. i was just a regular midwestern girl and had not spent much time in bigger cities so i was easily overwhelmed when someone came up to me when i was in line to buy another carnet in the metro station. the man took some money out of my hand and gave me tickets. a french businessman in a suit immediately came over to me to inspect the tickets to make sure i hadn't been scammed. luckily he assured me they were real and as he was walking away he said "welcome to paris" with a friendly smile. so i don't think all parisians are necessarily unwilling to help strangers.

@darkenrahl2469 6 лет назад

Nice - Rosie happy to see you overcome the bad reactions on a previous video!!!!, Keep on vlogging

@zabuzafan100 5 лет назад

first off love your videos ^^ Second, I work with and have made close friends with several french individuals. A couple live in Paris, one in Bordeaux, one in Marseilles , and one in Metz and from my experience the cliche of me being an american seems to be more pronounced when I'm talking with my Parisian colleagues moreso than with my others. There's an instant "oh, vous etes americain...," when talking to the Parisians that figure out or know you're American that you have to overcome. Whereas with the clients and colleagues I work with from the other cities and towns I don't get the same sort of... snooty (for lack of better word) response. I have actually been called, "trop doux et gentil" several times by Parisians. However, the gentleman that I work with from Bordeaux calls me at times just to talk because he says I break the french gloom and have real "joie de vivre" (might have spelled that wrong lol). So I guess it's a regional thing at least from my experience. It seems that Parisians are in a way colder than the other French folks I've come to know and love. My business partner in Paris who has also been my friend since we were both teenagers still sometimes busts out the "Àpres tout, Tu es Americain," as if after knowing each other for 13-14 years that idea that I'm American is still a hurdle in her mind. It's one of those irksome things where you're almost treated like that one friend that has to come with a warning label. Like "oh before you meet this person just know they're american." I have never had that from my other connections in other regions and have been told that they find my louder, happier, laughing a lot personality pleasant and fun to be around and work with.

@mouzcheeze1094 6 лет назад

We had a wonderful time in Paris when we visited but perhaps we weren't seen very much as the typical type b/c we were all from different backgrounds so perhaps that made a difference in how the French saw us. When we went out to eat, there were some folks who were curious once they realized we were from the states and they asked us questions such how do we feel about what's going on here. We all had the same feelings towards what's happening and the French gave us such sympathetic and reassuring smiles and comments, an over all positive attitude, that we felt quite welcome in France - at least via that experience. The positive outlook of some folks stateside probably resonates from the sad history we are struggling to overcome. We hope to truly be as united as it is supposed to be and get to the level where the French are - quality healthcare for all, great food, taking care of nature. The 'some' is because if everyone truly were positive and smiling all the time we probably wouldn't be in the predicament we are currently in. As for friendships, I agree, maybe if we meet someone and hit it off instantly (rare) we might state we are immediate or fast friends, otherwise we might label a new person as a friend (but is more of an acquaintance) in the beginning stages to be polite but we wouldn't necessarily call them immediately to start any chat or go to outings until we get to know them better. We still regard them as strangers and opening up intimate details of who you are does take time. Everyone's style is different, so it also depends on your background and upbringing. Congrats on the World Cup Win! Salut! :)

@khelian613 5 лет назад

The thing Veronica said about people helping in subways and stuff reminded me of something that happened to me. I'm from the french countryside and once, I lost my credit card in Paris, and I didn't have money to pay for the subway, yet I asked a stranger and he actually helped me and paid my ticket (in the end, I thanked him by offering him one of my drawings (I was in Paris to pass an art school admission test)). I think it can really depend on who you ask to help, but that overall people here are less upfront in their empathy.

@chloegarcia1099 6 лет назад

Hey! Lovely video 😊 the reasons you mention are precisely what attracts me about the US, I always feel that people are more enthusiastic about things and it's very appreciable. But I would not work anywhere than in France in the long run because we do have social advantages that I would miss. Also I have to admit that I get tired when people speak too loud all the time. Sorry x)

@hausolivier3188 5 лет назад

Toujours d'excellentes vidéos sur des sujets intéressants. Ici encore la participation d'une intéressante personne. Pour ma part, je me sens toujours honoré lorsque des personnes étrangères, choisissent la France pour y vivre. Tendres bisous amicaux

@TudorCity 6 лет назад

Super cool discussion!

@teona4279 6 лет назад

American here! I love to travel, and France keeps calling me back so often that I'm planning on moving and living there for a few years. I haven't lived in France (or Paris in particular) for longer than 6 months, but I don't find that I have the same reactions. I will say that my cultural background is partially French and so my entire life I've done things differently to the average American such as smiling (bah!). That being said I've never been told that I'm too positive haha, for perspective Americans tell me that I'm a very positive person. I believe that energy meets energy so you attract the kind of people who are most aligned with you, of course when you work in a foreign country you can't necessarily pick the kind of people you're around so I can see that, but all of my trips and extended visits were always met with positive responses be they strangers or well-known acquaintances. It was very interesting to hear that perspective and makes me wonder if my full-time living experience will be different from my short visitations.

@armanced.5053 6 лет назад

Teona yeah come live in France ! But please do not choose Paris, it’s better to discover France from its true heart !

@teona4279 6 лет назад

Armance Duboscq I've been to France many times. I'm a city girl so I need to live in a big city, but trust me I know the beauty France has to offer which is why I want to move there!

@mega77 5 лет назад

French here, can't agree more, you should avoid to live in Paris if your budget is tight or if you have other options available. I personnally work in Paris but I live in Lille, a city very close from the Belgium frontier. It's an hour ride from Paris when taking the fast train. People are way nicer here, and the city is more "human sized" with a very nice old city center, plus there's a lot of art and cultural events going on. On top of that food is great and Belgium, the Netherlands and Uk are very close. The only real issue is the weather, it's a bit worse than Paris. But they are other great mid-sized cities in France like Lyon or Bordeaux (currently super trendy and attractive for its quality of life). Paris is gorgeous, but it turns you crazy if you don't live in the very center, Parisians are freacking morrons.

@teona4279 5 лет назад

@@mega77 Hahaha those poor Parisians, no one seems to like them! I'm looking at Marseilles actually. It's the same population and atmosphere as the city I currently live in, but I'll give the places you've mentioned a look. Thank you!

@mega77 5 лет назад

@@teona4279 thanks. Well it's funny because Marseille is the city where parisians are the most hated, there's an old Paris/Marseille rivalry :)

@chaden4747 6 лет назад

Great video Rosie. not forgetting that tax problems faced by Canadian or American living abroad are really just painfull.

@andyt8216 5 лет назад

In the UK "not bad", the "pas mal" equivalent, is also a very acceptable response and informs the person asking that all is well :)

@LauraMorland 6 лет назад

Great video! Like Veronica, I do NOT volunteer the fact right away that I am American. When I get the inevitable "Vous venez d'où...?" question, I respond, "Je suis de la Californie !" Because most French have a negative feeling about the U.S., but they all love California. And I, too, have learned to stop smiling at strangers. When I first came to France, I had guys follow me off the RER or Métro three times, and I was in my 40s! So I've "toned that down" as well (but not completely).

@L-Destroyer 5 лет назад

I'm in SF and you can't smile at strangers here either. I've learned it's a city rule. Where in California are you from?

@chateau7 5 лет назад

Yes, when I lived in Madrid, I did the same thing. I'd just say "I'm from California - it worked very well."

@DanicaChristin 6 лет назад

38 days of annual leave is so much 😮 I'm jealous!

@sarahleach9997 5 лет назад

Great insights Amercian woman. Love these videos.i am watching them all l day.I broke my arm and I'm laid up.so fun.❤

@AlexD-dh2vr 6 лет назад

"What would you miss if you'd have to move back to the US ?" Every single american expact living in France : "Healthcare, holidays & food". The Holy Trinity.

@sznnmnt8216 4 года назад

Alex D holidays is big deal some of us never take vacations even with vacation days. It’s so much money to go somewhere and we still have to pay for everything and keep our rent going and Cetera at Cetera. A lot of the time we can’t take off on the holiday because a person more senior asked for it off. Most of my jobs had me working on Christmas Eve. Yes, ba humbug. Retail - you work Thanksgiving, Friday after, Christmas Eve, Day after Christmas, New Years and New Years Eve,4th of July others. If you’re lucky to work in government, you get all the weird holidays off like Caesar Chavez Day. Part Time - you don’t get paid holidays. I’m real knit picky about it because we get so few Holidays, maybe 12. Some companies used to shut down for two weeks at Christmas and New Years. PT - you take a day off = no pay. Its standard to only get 1 week vacation for your first few years of employment. You may get added weeks as employment progresses. I don’t really know of anyone that’s getting 4 weeks, but people do get it. Even if you get vacation many try to ensure their job security by having tasks that no one else knows how to do, so they feel like they can’t take off. Others just keep working and accruing vaca time. Some cash it out. You’re better of being an entrepreneur, but if you don’t work, you don’t get paid.

@andreaorbzy31 6 лет назад

She’s so cute! Great video!!

@kint87 6 лет назад

Hey best kiwi =) ! To help you both maybeeee understand the difference in smiling in France, i guess (from a frenchmen) if youre smiling all day youre smile would be seen as fake, or just a "mask" than you're wearing in public. Wich is a shame because it's simply than we're not use to it, but i think for everyone i know, if you smile like not all the day long, it give more value to this moments, like smiling when you're really happy, for a joke etc... Like a switch mode, a bit ( Happy/Casual) . And as you came here you now than this is not really the country of happiness (if youre french ^^). Hope this could help to understand our weird kind of people ( and also, Regions and cities like Lilles in the north, the southern France, Extra metropolitan French territories are known to be populated with more smiling peoples) .

@chateau7 5 лет назад

I don't know. I think one shouldn't monitor one's smile: it becomes too much of a performance otherwise.

@BrianInFrance12 6 лет назад

Love the North-Central accent! :) Minnesota maybe ?

@mundotyl4214 6 лет назад

So true! We are not Americans but we live in Paris and is so clear your vídeo girls! Hugs

@lynnetracey8828 4 года назад

I’m happy ALL THE TIME to be American when I go to Paris!! I’ve traveled to Paris around 15 times for work. I find all the rules about how to go out & eat & how to dress for their approval exhausting. It must be wonderful for them to come here where we don’t judge you & we’re always friendly & accommodating.

@eisenjeisen6262 5 лет назад

Rosie you have so many friends, and i love the way you speak English from the other side of the world and you speak beautiful French, and beautiful expressions, and you come from a beautiful family with right idea of making you independent but save your money and buy gold and you will have liberty and freedom., bye bye Jerome from Florida

@habsheim0 6 лет назад

I agree, we have to get rid of the « pas mal » to rate something. It is not clear and confuses people, especially kids. Another excellent video.

@slt697 5 лет назад

i like your videos ,i learn a lot of things from you .

@2Travelis2Live 5 лет назад

We are taught in the United States that if you smile, you will be happier. We were taught to grin and bear it, which essentially means to take on struggle and smile while you are struggling. I do agree Americans are loud and don't say please and thank you as often as we should.

@txbd9226 4 года назад

marcia bettger Keep smiling, but that’s not what will solve the problem of the US society. You can smile all you want and it’s great but people will still die because of the lack of healthcare, people will still be exploited with no paid leave, USA will still have of of the larger rate of obesity and heart disease, indebtedness because of education fee, excessive consumption, pollution etc... why not try to use that positivity to change the American society ?

@theabryan9829 6 лет назад

I swear I saw the video and thought to myself, "Why is Rosie interviewing another American?" I totally forgot you were Kiwi for a minute, ha ha. It's good to get a perspective from someone with a similar background. Thank you for the interview. Cheers from Canada!

@danielmaldonado4914 5 лет назад

Did anyone else think that was teen Kate from This Is Us? I mistook Veronica for Hannah Zeile from This Is Us, also great video!

@Thanxloveit 5 лет назад

Wow, you two look like twins or at least sisters. Thanks for the interesting videos. : )

@czeliaca2734 6 лет назад

Very interesting subject ! I'm seing it as an abroad person too. Except I am french and I'm living in north america now. I also feel i toned myself down at first sometimes to fit in. But now that i've been here for a year now, it misses me to feel like my whole self. I think even if it's cliché to be a certain way then so be it! It's the thing that makes you stand out of the rest of the people. And especially for you abroad in france ! France is a verry judgy country and i can't imagine how difficult it must be. Here I find it difficult but mostly i'm grateful the people are so nice here ! Other than that, living abroad changea us in ways we couldn't imagine and I think those little differences we've changed are part of the persons we are now. Oh and by the way, hugging is SO worse than the bise !

@L.Spencer 6 лет назад

I'm from San Diego and I lived in Mexico for many years. Down there I had to get used to kissing on the cheek and greeting everyone. But coming back to the US it seems like everyone hugs now, and it feels awkward. People who I don't know very well and I just saw last week are hugging me. I'm like, "We don't know each other very well and I just saw you, why are you hugging me?" Maybe it was always like this, but I don't recall hugging much in the 90's.

@czeliaca2734 6 лет назад

hahaha good thought but no! Not for me ! I'm more of a loner, I'm not really a friendly person. Maybe that's my french heritage but I'm too forthright and sometimes forget to think before I speak haha. Working in computer science with a machine answering me is my perfect job :p

@adamzenaty1346 5 лет назад

Chambéry and Annecy are beautiful city to live in, and americans are very welcome. This country need more foreign investment.

@Chris_ytb 6 лет назад

She look like Kate (teenage kate) from This Is Us ! :O

@agiggles6532 4 года назад

It is her!!

@loridelia8806 5 лет назад

Americans don’t apologize for being happy, smiley, and for who we are. Americans are good people.

@bunnybgood411 Год назад

Rosie, Veronica looks like she could be your little sister. So cute.

@thibaultroucaute5212 6 лет назад

As this as been said many times on this channel, please stop mixing Paris and France. I lived in Marseille and Laval, I went to a lot of places in France and now live in Paris for one year and it's a nightmare. People here are totally different from the people you find in the rest of France, I don't understand why there is such a concentration of assholes in this city.

@edvynus 5 лет назад

Because people assume that Parisians are assholes, so they act upon that assumption. There is also the fact that for many people, going to the capital is a symbol of success, so they act like arrogant assholes

@matthewsmith908 3 года назад

They didn't, they said right at the beginning that it was specifically Paris. Don't get so hurt that your town was forgotten, it's really ok.

@ropibo 6 лет назад

Super agréable toute cette énergie positive et ce sourire. Ok pour dire qu'aux US les gens sont plus positifs, ça marche, mais moi je pense que c'est aussi un trait de caractère. En France on peut dire "non", c'est sûr, donc moi je pense, Veronica : changes rien, et si on te dit que tu souris trop et qu'on te demande de moins sourire, réponds "non, je ne ferai pas ça, ce n'est pas dans mon contrat d'être désagréable". :)

@afriendlyfaceinthecrowd Год назад

Interestingly, in 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book, Democracy in America, pointed out the American propensity for speaking freely with strangers. So that's a French/American difference that is longstanding.

@cutemat75 6 лет назад

Bonjour i live in Paris, i'm french. I love USA you're welcome. Paris was magic with World Cup soccer 2018. Désolé je suis pas surper bon en anglais avez-vous apprécié le défilé des bleus sur les champs. En tant que français j'ai trouvé ça formidable, c'est juste triste qu'il ya eu quelques débordements :( Mais globalement j'ai trouvé ça formidable de voir tant de français se réunir par amour d'un sport et vous?. Kyo

@auroraborealis6398 5 лет назад

Well, I am french and some people told me I was too much friendly... I guess I just have to go abroad to feel fine! ^^

@eisenjeisen6262 5 лет назад

This will be the third time i'm leaving America and for good, but this time i am moving to Zurich, Switzerland and to get married to my Swiss sweetheart, and i see no better reason than that to leave America, and to finally to be very happy for the rest of my life.

@derranlawston4052 5 лет назад

Eisen J Eisen Good luck to you! Have you settled in Switzerland yet?

@brucemarsico6 4 года назад

I hope it works out for you.Seems you got frustrated and disappointed during those othertwo times you were trying to escape the big bad USA...….Must be tough...…I live in the USA and I don't find that it's so desperate that I'mlonging to move elsewhere. No, I don't have a Swiss sweet heart, orany sweet heart, anywhere. I've been around the world.I like living in the USA. I don't feel alienated living here. Well, I did a littlein Las Vegas!

@cathygill8442 6 лет назад

As as aussie who lived in the uk, i found the same thing with people being loud. I thought it was to do with the population/space. If you live in a densely populated place you need to be more respectful of more people. Its harder to get away from people. I also found people in europe invaded your personal space more than they did in Aust.

@NounourSOAD 6 лет назад

Keeping smiling in Paris is an achievement. There's this meme parodying I ❤ NY, it's "I'm Parisien, I ❤ rien". (I'm Parisian, i like nothing) Spot on.

@walkbyfaithnotbysight1318 2 года назад

You guys look so much alike!!!

@cecilelpt5808 5 лет назад

A Rennes, ca arrive en sortant du metro que les gens donne leur ticket(qui dure 1h) à ceux qui doivent prendre le metro, c'est quelque chose de généreux et à la fois, c'est logique, c'est un peu comme du recyclage

@mquinonez86 5 лет назад

wow it will be so hard for me to live in France... Im a very talkative person always smiling....

@cathygill8442 6 лет назад

Hi loving your channel. I'd love to hear the French opinion on the Italians. What do they think of the food, lifestyle and fashion. Oh and the Germans as well. Thanks. C xx

@armanced.5053 6 лет назад

Cathy Gill or maybe the contrary 😉

@mega77 5 лет назад

Frenchs eat a TON of italians specialties (pizza/pasta etc). There's an italian restaurant in every french city, even small towns. We share a kind of rivalry with italians, mostly because of football and stuff. Also, there's a lot of italian immigrants in france who camed in the 60's, 70's and they are well integrated: we have a lot in common as we are both latin people. Germans are viewed quite differently, we have a lot of respect for their engineering skills, our relationship is getting better over the years despite having been in war for centuries. Germans tend to be "colder" than french and we aren't extremely close culturally speaking, but frenchs are kinda feel neutral with them today: they are political friends, but most french people aren't that interested by their country, food etc (and german langage sounds awful to most french ears compared to italian). * I have visited Italy a few times plus I have italian origins in my family, and I have lived and worked in Germany so I know those two countries)

@xouxoful 6 лет назад

"pas mal" = "quite good" Exactly!

@paulhowlett8151 6 лет назад

"pas mal" = "not bad" = ok (in Australia)

@DC2022 6 лет назад

A friend had the same problem feeling bad after each "pas mal" from his supervisor, "pas mal" was understood as "yeah, not a total failure." And I had to explain him few time he'd better to understand as "nice, but I'm sure you can do better next time." when coming from his supervisor and as Xavier said, "quite good" when this came from other people. When he finished his work, he asked his supervisor what did he mean by "pas mal" and as expected, the teacher answered he did a pretty good job especially considering he was a rookie so he encouraged him... ^^' Some ppl (especially here) are of the kind to love litotes. The same way we see american throwing tons of "amaaaazing!" when you just did something so mundane you didn't expect this "sugary" explosion. It's really destabilizing the first times. I remember thinking "is she kidding?" after some "Amazing" carpet bombing for a pretty simple skirt steak quickly cooked with some spices. And I learnt while we are litotes lovers, they are fond of hyperboles.

@xouxoful 6 лет назад

Dimitri Chirvêches the litote on the opposite is "moyen" for saying "quite bad" 😀

@DC2022 6 лет назад

On peut avoir les deux oui, mais là ça risque de mettre en déroute les malheureux qui n'y sont pas habitués... XD ou on peut alors parler d'euphémisme vu que c'est alors pour descendre la pauvre personne.

@Musiquedecor 5 лет назад

Hello, I have some questions, The girlfriend and I are planning a visit from Guam. (we're not your typical Americans / islanders mostly) What's the best time to go with moderate cool weather, fewer crowds, where are some suggestions to visit and how do we prepare for both the culture and language as visitors? I'm currently trying to learn some phrases but I think I'd be stumped in response to a real conversation or response in general. Please and Thank You. :)

@shakeelahmed4233 6 лет назад

hey twins how r u?

@RemyCW 5 лет назад

You speak about the difficulties for people in Paris to be friendly immediately. Do you go to Toulouse, Marseille or globally the south of France? They are more open for the first contact. (And I’m from the middle, Lyon, so it is an honest comparison).

3 года назад

You two look so much alike!

@JohnZaabi 4 года назад

Veronica looks like a crossbreed between Neve Campbell and Laura Pausini. She's amazing, she should get invited more often, so eloquent and en pointe, gotta love her, gros bissous

@frankicool4 6 лет назад

World cup experiences for the next video ?

@LauraPalmerD 6 лет назад

You guys look so alike!

@Hurricane0721 Год назад

I’ve spent time in Paris, as well as other parts of France. Much of this advice is unique just to the region in and around Paris. The people in other regions of France are quite different than the people in Paris. To be honest, I found Parisians to be nice people overall, but more pretentious than the people in other regions of France. As far as quiet voices are concerned, the people in Northern France are more quiet, but that is totally different in Southern France.

@jennyrotten6354 5 лет назад

lol I must not be a typical American then cause I don’t smile a lot, let alone at strangers and forget talking to them too! lol

@sirgregory1st 2 года назад

You guys look like twins!!

@Pazu84Vaucluse Месяц назад

I love Americans, I love their positivity! If France culd be more positive and nicer to one another it would be almost perfect :)

@opalunicorn444 5 лет назад

I feel like the friendly American is more in non big cities in Los Angeles we never talk or smile to strangers people who just move here always hate how unfriendly we are here. We see it as a safety measure you never know who is scamming you or possibly dangerous!

@sherryedwards695 5 лет назад

Very interesting topic. The American thing was interesting. As a Canadian when we travel outside Canada or the U.S. everyone assumes unfortunately that we are Americans. Once we tell them that we are Canadian we are treated much better. I know that sounds unfair. So right off the bat we are very quick (And yes "loud") to say we are Canadian. Also, when travelling it is easier and better for us to wear something with our flag on it. I'm not sure if this is true in France. I've never been there so it would be interesting to find out. I do know with France's hate of Canadians because of the long history and the problems we have here in Canada and being very similar to Americans they would probably not treat us too nice either. I love the great job you guys did on this video and keep up the good work.

@paulinel.5343 5 лет назад

Hi, it's been 5 months since your comment but still... I'm French and I can say French people have a very good opinion about Canadians ! They are seen as very friendly and nice people. French people think the same about Americans, but with a slight difference, like they are just "too much" and it can seem hypocrit. I don't say it's true or fair, of course, but I think these are the clichés we have here in France about Americans and Canadians, and that's why Canadians have a better image than Americans. I hope it was useful and my english not too bad :)

@Pazu84Vaucluse Месяц назад

I think french people, overall are afraid to feel ashamed in public, and are very concerned with what other people think of them and are cautious not to make mistakes. Things are changing a bit, but the way we used to be raised was very much like " don't do this! don't do that! you should be ashamed of yourself"...so it might explain why as a whole we are so wary of looking stupid and being made fun of (generally speaking). We also know our english sucks and we sound so bad, so we won't try to speak as much as we would like. Mind you we start leanrning english at the age of 10 or sooner, but we never learn pronunciation, problem is, which accent should we learn? british, american? some teachers speak with a more american accent some more british, but at the end of the day we only learn grammar, listening practice. They try to make us read texts, but they never really teach us how to pronunce. Things might be different nowadays. The younger generation is more exposed to english than ever before.

@vouneful 5 лет назад

Sisters from another mother!?? You 2 looks crazily alike!!

@dilorano6829 5 лет назад

Can I get some tips for applying to a French university (studying abroad)?

@Hoid. 5 лет назад

Wow, you look so much alike!

@jaykay5541 6 лет назад

Oh gosh... I lived in the US a decade now and I smile at everyone in the street now.... did I not do that in London?!!!

@L.Spencer 6 лет назад

Do you feel happier being that way? I'm a shy American, but when I smile at strangers I feel happier.

@jaykay5541 6 лет назад

I do enjoy smiling at strangers, but I enjoy knowing everyone has adequate vacation/sick/maternity leave and access to healthcare more! I find the obsession with work and money ruins American life for a European. I plan to move home with my American husband and kids in the next 2 years. I sure will miss all the space and sun though. :-)

@michaelawhite1168 5 лет назад

My name is Michaela White and I live and America I want to live in Paris because I am not happy where I live and I'm trying my best to learn from different cultures

@StephanieHughesDesign 6 лет назад

Salut Rosie! Merci beaucoup. Je suis originairre pour Australie, (Australienne, Sydney). J'habite d'ou Los Angeles. Amour videos videos. Je suis une Francophile et j'apprende Francais. Je regarde et j'apprends de toutes tes vidéos ma cherie. Amour.

@atlantistartan1498 6 лет назад

Pour avoir voyagé dans plusieurs pays (Japon,Grèce,Maroc,Irlande,Angleterre,Espagne,Italie,Suisse). Et pour avoir parler avec des voyageurs des 4 coins du monde. Le problème numéro un en France est le parcours du combattant pour pouvoir monter une entreprise. Ce qui décourage même les plus courageux. Et je ne parle pas des incompétences de gestion dans les services de l'Etat français. Mais en dehors de cela, la France est le plus beau pays du monde. Oui je sais,je suis Français et pourtant je veux être le plus honnête possible. Citer moi un pays au monde autre que la France qui a une bonne médecine accessible(qui ne soit pas cher) une culture du cinéma, une bonne cuisine(saine et équilibrée et pas trop cher, même s'il y a des excès parfois), une riche Histoire de plus de 1000 ans, (avec des beaux châteaux) des vacances(5 semaines), de beaux paysages(mer,campagne,montagne) . Moi je n'en connais pas d'autres.

@armanced.5053 6 лет назад

atlantis tartan l’Italie et l’Allemagne me semblent être de bons concurrents

@atlantistartan1498 6 лет назад

Effectivement, surtout que pour l'Italie, j'adore ce pays. Seulement se soigner en Italie coûte un bras y compris avec une mutuelle. Une simple prise de sang coûte autour de 70 euros, si les italiens viennent en France se faire opérer, ce n'est pas un hasard. Et passer Pompeî il n' y a plus grand chose, l'Italie du sud est pauvre.(botte) 80% de la richesse italienne est entre Pompeî et le Nord. Et le cinéma italien n'est pas (ou plutôt n'est plus) aussi riche que le cinéma français même si j'aime beaucoup le cinéma italien. Quant à l'Allemagne la médecine est très bonne mais plus cher qu'en France. EX si tu dois te faire opérer de l'appendicite, en France c'est gratuit et même si tu es au chômage.(CMU). En Allemagne le prix est autre chose. Après la nourriture Allemande même s'il y a de bons plats n'est pas aussi raffinée que la Française. Il suffit de regarder le nombre de chefs étoilés français et allemands. Et la pâtisserie number one est Française (cocorico) Et le cinéma allemand est derrière le cinéma Français à l'international. Et quand on demande dans 30 pays de citer 2 pays de cinéma. Number one Etats Unis,(25%) Number two France(20%) (cocorico) Number three Italie(15%) Number four Allemagne(14%) Etc........ Cela ne m'empêche pas de penser que depuis 5 ans la qualité a beaucoup baissé je trouve et partout.(Avis perso). Et le réseau routier même s'il est en baisse en France, est number one depuis 20 ans en Europe. Et le plus grand nombre de châteaux(45000 ) se trouvent oû ? En France.YOUPI, (j'adore les châteaux). Le seul gros problème est qu'en France, on est gouverné depuis 40 ans par des incapables qui laissent tout se détériorer à vitesse Grand V

@armanced.5053 6 лет назад

atlantis tartan Bien argumenté tout ça ! Ça donnerait presque des raisons d’être fiers aux Français tiens (a part le fait d’être champions du monde hein) 😉

@atlantistartan1498 6 лет назад

Exactement, quand j'étais jeune (15- 25 ans) j'avais tendance à raler pour un rien. Puis j'ai voyagé et je me suis vite aperçu, qu' il y avait des pays moins agréable et moins confortable à vivre. Alors bien sur, en France il y a des problèmes à résoudre, et il suffirait de prendre juste, quelques bonnes décisions. Mais pour cela il faudrait des hommes politiques compétents. Bon là ok, certains vont me dire "tu rêves "AHAHAHA Les étrangers que j'ai rencontré dans différents échanges linguistiques sur Paris m'ont très souvent dit. Les français ne parlent pas ou mal l'anglais et voyagent moins que les autres (pays développés). Ce qui est vrai, mais pourquoi est ce vrai? Tout simplement parce qu'en France, on a un super pays le top du top. Si tu veux partir à la mer, on est ouvert sur 2 mers et un océan, des montagnes(jura, vosges,alpes). Et de la campagne(Auvergne,Normandie,Bretagne....) De la bonne bouffe et un art de vivre(musique,ciné,vacances) De l'art(musées) et du temps. Car dans beaucoup pays avoir du temps pour vivre est un rêve. Au Japon et Etats-Unis la semaine est de 55 et 45 heures par semaine avec 15 jours de congés par an. Ce qui me fait sourire se sont ceux qui critiquent les 35 heures et disent que les français sont des fainéants. Mais qui restent en France et refusent de rentrer chez eux.

@marcetisabellegautheron9309 5 лет назад

I think that what you need to consider is that you come from immigrant cultures. Both America and New Zealand were places where people went having severed all links with their friends and families and needed to create quick and easy contacts not to feel completely isolated and alone in the world. In France, we are the natives. Historically, as a culture, we have never needed to make friends and new acquaintances, we’ve got our roots and connections. We’ve spent our history fighting back would-be invaders, and maybe rightfully so if you look at what happened to Native Americans and Maori people. So straightforward friendliness isn’t a value we look for in people ... Does this explanation help?

@antman5474 6 лет назад

I first thought this was a special effect video where with a bit of clever editing you make it look like you're having a conversation with yourself. But it isn't, your American friend is an actual real person. wtf I can't believe I almost believed myself.